‘Suicide terrorist’ kills 25 in Damascus: Syrian state TV
The al Qaeda-linked Abdullah Azzam Brigades had denied responsibility for the last two suicide attacks in Damascus on Dec. 23, 2011.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
US adds Al Qaeda Kurdish Battalions to list of terror groups
The terror group was formed in 2007 and operates under the aegis of al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq.
Ansar al Islam names new leader
Ansar al Islam, an al Qaeda-linked terror group based in northern Iraq, named Abu Hashim Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman al Ibrahim as its new emir.
Pakistani Taliban execute 15 Frontier Constabulary personnel
The 15 troops were captured on Dec. 22 after the Taliban overran a fort in Tank. The execution was carried out to avenge the death of a senior Taliban leader who was killed in Khyber last weekend.
Afghanistan: US strategy changes to match drawdown of forces
In June 2011, President Obama announced a drawdown of US forces in Afghanistan. But no new strategy to accommodate a smaller force was announced. Finally, there might be one.
Afghan Taliban announces new ‘political office’ in Qatar
The Taliban is planning to open a new “political office” in Qatar as part of nascent peace talks with the US. The Taliban continues to demand the release of “high risk” detainees from Guantanamo as a prerequisite to the talks. The Taliban detainees all have extensive ties to al Qaeda.
Al Qaeda brokers new anti-US Taliban alliance in Pakistan and Afghanistan
The Shura-e-Murakeba embraces all of the major Taliban groups in North and South Waziristan, including the Haqqani Network, the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, and groups led by Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadar.
Pakistani troops kill dangerous Taliban commander
Qari Kamran was responsible for the the murders of scores of Pakistani soldiers, policemen, and civilians in the northwest.
Shabaab leader recounts al Qaeda’s role in Somalia in the 1990s
Saif al Adel, Sheikh Yusuf al Ayiri, and Sheikh Abu al Hasan al Sa’idi fought in the Battle of Mogadishu, according to Shabaab’s emir.
Son of infamous al Qaeda family killed by Ethiopian forces
Abu al Bara’a Abdul Aziz bin Attash was killed in a clash with Ethiopian forces. Bin Attash was a member of a particularly notorious al Qaeda family that has served the Taliban, al Qaeda, Shabaab, and other allied terrorist organizations.
Israel kills leader of al Qaeda-linked Army of Islam in Gaza airstrike
The Israeli Air Force killed Muaman Abu Daf in an attack in Gaza City. He led a team of fighters who launched rocket attacks into Israel.
Israel kills ‘Global Jihad affiliated-terrorists’ in Gaza airstrikes
Three members of al Qaeda-linked Salafist groups in Gaza were killed in two airstrikes over the past day.
Adbullah Azzam Brigades denies responsibility for Damascus suicide attacks
The terror group accused Syrian intelligence of staging the deadly Dec. 23 suicide attacks to hide the “failure of the regime of the tyrant in the Levant, Bashar al Assad, in subduing the rebels by force, murder, and exaggeration of crimes.”
Al Qaeda in Iraq claims Baghdad suicide attack, bombings
Al Qaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq said it targeted the institutions of the “Safavid government” as the country is on the brink of a political and sectarian crisis.
Lebanese al Qaeda operative eulogizes Jordanian killed in Afghanistan
Abu Zubaydah al Lubnani praised Abu Kandahar al Zarqawi, who was killed by US forces in late 2010. Before his death, Abu Kandahar helped several “brothers who went to fight.”
Takhar attack: Taliban continue their campaign against political rivals
The assassination of Alhaj Mutalib Baig in Takhar province marks the latest victim in a string of attacks against former United Islamic Front commanders in northern Afghanistan. Members of the Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan are blamed for the attack.
Suicide bomber kills 20 Afghans, including member of parliament, at funeral
The member of parliament served as the police chief of Takhar and Kunduz before taking office. The attack was likely carried out by the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Taliban suicide bomber kills 7 Pakistani troops
The Taliban said the attack was executed to avenge the death of Taj Gul Mehsud. It is the second revenge attack against the Frontier Corps in two days.
Taliban avenge death of commander killed in October drone strike
The Taliban killed one Pakistani trooper and captured 15 more to avenge the death of Taj Gul Mehsud, a senior deputy to Hakeemullah Mehsud.
AQAP leader’s brother reported killed in US drone strike
Abdul Rahman, the brother of Nasir al Wuhayshi, is rumored to have been killed in a US Predator airstrike in Zinjibar. The report is unconfirmed.
US offers $10 million reward for Iran-based al Qaeda financier
The US government is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Yasin al Suri, a senior al Qaeda facilitator based in Iran. Al Suri was designated by the Treasury Department in July.
Pakistani fire, mutual errors led to Mohmand troop deaths: ISAF inquiry
Pakistani troops opened fire on US troops, then failed to cease fire after it was clear that US forces, including aircraft, were involved in the engagement.
Ansar al Jihad in the Sinai Peninsula announces formation
The new Egyptian terror group vowed to “fulfill the oath” of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
ISAF denies Taliban claim that US troops abandoned base in Afghan east
“We haven’t turned over [to Afghan forces] or vacated any ISAF bases in Laghman,” an ISAF official told The Long War Journal, refuting the Taliban’s assertion.
US drone strikes in Pakistan on longest pause since 2008
The US has gone 33 days without hitting al Qaeda, the Taliban, or other terror groups based in Pakistan’s tribal areas. US officials attribute this to deteriorating relations with Pakistan.
Taliban seek freedom for dangerous Guantanamo detainees
The Obama administration is considering repatriating some Guantanamo detainees to Afghanistan as part of a diplomatic effort to engage the Taliban. Four senior, high-risk, commanders are thought to be at the top of the list.
US transfers dangerous Hezbollah leader involved in murder of 5 US soldiers to Iraqi custody
Musa Ali Daqduq, who was tasked with establishing a Hezbollah-like Shia terror group in Iraq, and who was involved in the 2007 attack on US troops in Karbala, is now in Iraqi custody.
US adds Abdullah Azzam Brigades commander to terrorist list
Saleh al Qarawi, a top leader of the Lebanon-based terror group, fought with Abu Musab al Zarqawi in Fallujah. Qarawi was ordered by Zarqawi to form the terror group to conduct attacks in the Middle East.
Pakistani Taliban take revenge for slain al Qaeda media operative
The Taliban claimed they killed three Pakistani Rangers to avenge the killing of GIMF operative Abd al Moeed bin Abd al Salam.
US drone strikes ‘on hold’ in Pakistan: US official
Intelligence officials told The Long War Journal that the US fears relations with Pakistan will further deteriorate, but the US would consider hitting a high-value target if the opportunity was available.